Machine for attaching closing-cords to merchandise-envelops.



- W. E. SWIFT.

MACHINE FOB ATTAOHING CLOSING GORDS T0 MERCHANDISE ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED we. '1. 1905.

, 9235602. Patented June 1 ,1909.

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MACHINE FOR ATTAGHING CLOSING GORDS TO MERCHANDISE ENVELOPS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 7. 1905.

Patented June 1, 1909.

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W. E. SWIFT. MAGHINE FOR ATTAGHING CLOSING GORDS T0 MERUHANDISBENVELOPS.

923,602 APPLICATION. FILED AUG. 7. 1905. 1,

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UNITED STATES PATENT ornro WILLARD E. SWIFT, OF WORCESTER,MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO UNITED STATES ENVELOPE COMPANY, OFSPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1909.

Application filed August 7, 1905. Serial No. 272,989.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLARD E. SWIFT, a citizen of the United States,residing at Worcester, in the county of Worcester and Commonwealth ofMassachusetts, have in vented a new and useful Improvement in Machinesfor Attaching Closing-Cords to Merchandise-Envelops, of which thefollowing is a specification, accompanied by drawings forming a part ofthe-same, in which- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of my improvedmachine. Fig. 2 represents a merchandise envelop having a closing cordattached thereto. Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the envelop. Fig. 1represents a side view of the upper portion of the machine, showing theopposite side from that shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a front view of aportion of the machine. Fig. 6 is a sectional view of the eyelet andcord attaching mechanism. Fig. 7 is a top view of the end of the eyeletconducting tube, and Fig. 8 is a sectional and detached view of thedelivery end of the tubular washer guide.

Similar reference letters and figures refer to similar parts in thedifferent views.

My machine is designed to attach the closing string or cord to thatclass of mer chandise envelop in which the seal flap and the body of theenvelop are provided with a circular washer or disk attached by eyeletsto one of which one end of a closing cord or string is attached, withthe free end adapted to be wound successively around the two eyelets andbeneath the washers, thereby securely uniting the seal flap and body oftheenvelop. The washers and eyelets are usually attached to the envelopby an eyeleting machine, and require the at tached end of the string orcord to be applied by hand, and it is the object of my present inventionto provide a mechanism by which a cord or string of the desired lengthmay be fastened to the envelop automatically during the operation ofapplying the attaching eyelet and washer, and my invention consists inproviding in a single mechanism instrumentalities for applying an eyeletand washers to the envelop, and for feeding to the opening in theenvelop for the eyelet the desired length of string or cord forfastening the envelop, and it further consists in the construction andarrangement of parts whereby this result is accomplished, as hereinafterdescribed and pointed out. in the annexed claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings 1 denotes a portion of theframework of the machine provided with an overhanging arm 2, havingvertical Ways for a reciprocating plunger 3 to which motion is impartedby a rocking lever 4 mounted in lugs 5 at the top of the arm 2, andoperatively connected with the reciprocating plunger by the toggle links6 and 7 which are connected at their pivoted joint to the fixedframework by a link 8. Motion is given to the rocking lever 41 by arocking lever 9 carrying on one end a stud 10 which engages a slot 11 inthe rocking lever 4. The opposite end of the rocking lever 9 ispivotally connected by a link 12 to a foot treadle 18 which is held inan elevated position by a spring 14 and isdepressed by the foot of theattendant at each operation of the machine. The end of the reciprocatingplunger 3 carries a hollow spindle 15 inclosing a spiral spring 16 withits tension exerted against the head of a sliding pin 17, causing thepin 17 to normally project beyond the collar 18 which has a screwthreaded connection with the hollow spindle 15 and serves to hold thesliding pin 17 in place. The projecting end of the sliding pin 17 isbifurcated by means of a central longitudinal slit 19 forming twoelastic prongs 20, 21.

Beneath the sliding pin 17 and in alinement therewith is a fixed pin 22securely held in the framework of the machine, and provided with aconcentric hole 23 nearly its entire length, said hole terminating in anopening 2 1 in the side of the pin 22. Beneath the fixed pin 22 are apair of rolls 25 and 26 having corrugated surfaces and adapted by theirrotation to feed a cord 27 upward through the fixed pin 22 and throughthe opening 24 in its side. The end of the'cord 27 is deflected out ofthe way of the operative parts of the machine by the tached to the fixedarm 2. The feed rolls 25 and 26 are geared together by pinions 28 and29, and are driven from a ratchet wheel 30 through a train of speedincreasing gears 31, so that a slight angular movement of the ratchetwheel will feed at a single operation a suflicient length of string tosupply a suitable fastening for the envelop. Motion is intermittentlyimparted to the ratchet wheel 30 by a pawl 32 carried by one end of arocking lever 33 operatively connected with the upper rocking lever 4through a telescopic link, consisting of the two sections 34 and 35respectively provided with the crossarms 36 and 37, which are united bythe spiral springs 38, 38, of sufficient force to hold the telescopicsections 34 and 35 together during the normal operation of rotating thefeed rolls and 26, but capable of yielding to an unusual resistance. Oneof the gear shafts in the train of gears is provided with acam indicatedby the broken lines 39, Fig. 4, having a shoulder 40 adapted to beengaged by the tip 41 of a lever 42, and pivotally connected by one endat 43 to the framework of the machine. The lever 42 is operativelyconnected by a telescopic link comprising sections 44 and with the upperrocking lever 4, said telescopic sections of the link being held intheir normal position by an expansion spring 46. The operation of thepawl 32 and of the lever 42 are so timed that as the pawl 32 hascompleted its movement in actuating the ratchet wheel 30, the lever 42will be depressed to bring its tip 41 into the path of and into contactwith, the shoulder 40, said tip 41 then acting as a dog to check thefurther rotation of the feed rolls 25 and 26; Below the opening 24 inthe fixed pin 22 is an elastic stripping plate 47, attached at one endto the framework, with its opposite and free end inclosing the fixed pin22.

Pivotally supported upon a bracket 48 depending from the arm 2, is aneyelet trough or guide 49, which is filled by hand or otherwise witheyelets 50, the advancing eyelet 51 in the series being stopped by ayielding spring 52, Fig. 7, at the end of the guide and concentricallywith the bifurcated sliding pin 17. The eyelet guide 49 is connected byan articulated joint 55 with one arm 56 of a bell crank lever, the otherarm 57 having a slot 58 which incloses a stud 59 carried by thereciprocating plunger 3, so that as the plunger moves down, the rock ingmotion of the bell crank will gradually swing the eyelet guide on itspivotal connection with the bracket away from beneath the pin 17. Theseparts are so timed, however, that the removal of the eyeletguide doesnot take place until after the bifurcated pin 17 has entered the eyelet51, which is thus forcibly ejected from the end of the eyelet tube bythe yielding of the spring 52, leaving the eyelet supported upon the bifurcated end of the pin 17 which is slightly larger than the holethrough the eyelet, so that as the pin 17 is forced through the eyeletthe prongs 20, 21, are slightly colnpre 'ed and their elasticity exertssuiiicient pressure against the sides of the eyelet to cause it to beheld upon the pin. The continued downward movement of the reciprocatingplunger 3 carries the eyelet through the opening in the washer 54 andpushes the latter through the opening 53 in the washer guide 53 untilthe end of the sliding pin 17 strikes the end of the fixed pin 22, whenthe sliding pin is forced against the tension of the spiral spring 16into the hollow spindle 15, and the end of the collar 18 pressingagainst the eyelet forces it through an opening in the seal flaps a ofthe envelop and through a washer Z), both of which have been placed byhand on the fixed pin 22 and are supported upon the stripping plate 47.The further downward movement of the collar 13 shears off the string 27where it projects through the opening and clenches the eyelet, securingone end of the severed piece of string to the envelop. The washer guide53 is attached to an arm 53 which is supported upon the lower end of asliding plate 58' capable of a slight sliding movement in ays (30 in theframework of the machine and parallel with the reciprocating plunger 3.The reciprocating plunger 3 carries a stud 61 which passes through anelongated opening 62 in the plate 58" and supports on its outer end aneye plate 3 connected by a spring 64 with a stud U5 held in the plate58". As the reciprocating plunger begins to move down the sliding plate58 moves with it until the downward movement of the plate 58" is checkedby means of a screw 66 held in the fl'tlll'ltHVOl'h passing through aslot (57 in the plate 53. \Vhen the down 'ard movement of the plate 5Shas been checked the continued downward movement of the plunger 3 servesto push the washe 54 through the opening 53*. This limited downwardmovement of the washer guide is sullicient to bring the washer guide 53into contact with the spring arm 27 and deflect it out of the way of thewasher and plunger 3 as they descend.

The operation of my improved machine is as follows:i\*ith the severalparts in the position shown in Figs. 1, -:1- and 5 I place a washer Z)on the stripping plate 47, as shown in Fig. (3. Above this I place theseal l'lap u of the envelop, with the end of the fixed pin projectingthrough an opening in the seal flap of the envelop. Fiyelets aresupplied to the eyelet guide 49 and washers are supplied to the washerguide 53. causing the eyelet 51 and washer 54- to be held concentricallywith the pins 17 and 22, as shown in lli') Fig. 6, the washer 5 1 beingheld over an opening 53 in the washer guide and the eyelet 51 beingretained in position by the yielding spring 52, Fig. 7. The treadle 13is then depressed which sets in mot-ion the feed rolls 25 and 26 to feeda piece of string up through the concentric hole in the fixed pin 22 andthrough the side opening 24, of sufficient length to form a fasteningfor the envelop. Simultaneously the reciprocating plunger 3 begins tomove down causingthe eyelet 51 to be engaged by and supported upon thebifurcated end of the sliding pin 17 and carried through the hole in thewasher 5 1 until the end of the pin 17 strikes the end of the fixed pin22, when it is forced back in to the hollow spindle 15, and thecontinued downward motion of the collar 18 forces the eyelet through theopening in the seal flap a and of the washer 54 and washer b, depressingthe stripping plate 17 and causing the eyelet to be headed or flanged inthe usual and well known manner in eyeleting machines. This downwardmovement of the eyelet also carries the string through the openings inthe seal flap a and washer Z) and it is securely held by the flanging ofthe eyelet. The string is severed between the inside edge of the annularcollar 18 and the lower edge of the opening 2-1. As the foot treadle 13is released the spring 14L reverses the motion of the operative partsand restores them to their normal position, as shown in Figs. 1, 4: and5. The operation of the machine causes the two washers b and 54 and theeyelet 51 to be securely attached to the envelop, as shown in Fig. 3,and with a severed piece of string 68 projecting beyond the washer 541,with its end firmly secured to the envelop by the upsetting or flangingof the eyelet.

That I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patentis 1. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aneyleting mechanism, of a fixed pin having a concentric hole in said pin,an opening in the side of the pin com-' municating with said hole,mechanism for feeding a string through said hole and opening, and meansfor imparting a periodic and predetermined movement to said feedingmechanism.

2. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aneyeleting mechanism, of a fixed pin having a central hole and a sideopening communicating with said hole, a pair of feed rolls below saidpin, means for rotating said rolls, whereby a string is fed through saidhole and opening.

3. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aneyeleting mechanism of a fixed pin, a longitudinal hole in said pin, apair of feed rolls below said pin, means for imparting a predeterminedr0- tary movement to said feed rolls, whereby a string is fed throughsaid hole and means for checking the rotation of said feed rolls.

1. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a fixed pinhaving a concentric hole and an opening communicating with said hole,means for feeding a string through said hole and opening, and means forsevering said string.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a fixed pinhaving a concentric hole and an opening communicating with said hole,means for feeding a string through said hole and opening between awasher and an envelop, and means for severing the string projectingthrough said hole, comprising an annular collar and means for slidinsaid collar over said pin, whereby the strlng is severed against theedge of said opening.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aneyeleting mechanism, of a fixed pin having a concentric hole for astring, a string feeding mechanism consisting of a pair of feed rolls,means for actuating said eyeleting mechanism, and means forsimultaneously rotating said feed rolls.

. 7 In a machine of the class described, the combination with aneyeleting mechanism, of a fixed pin having a longitudinal hole, and, anopening communicating with said hole, a pair of feed rolls for feeding astring through said hole, a pawl and ratchet mechanism for imparting anintermittent motion to said feed rolls, and a locking mechanism forchecking the rotation of said fed rolls.

8. In a machine of the class described, the combination with aneyeleting mechanism for applying a washer and an eyelet to an envelop,of means for feeding a string between said washer and said envelop,means for severing the string and means for flanging the eyelet.

9. In a machine of the class described, the combination in an eyeletingmechanism of a fixed pin, a longitudinal hole in said pin, means forfeeding a string through said longitudinal hole, means for holding aneyelet concentric with said pin, means for carrying said eyelet intocontact with said fixed pin and means for fianging the eyelet.

10. In a machine'of the class described, the combination in an eyeletingmachine of a fixed hollow pin, means for feeding a string through saidhollow pin, means for guiding the string as it issues from said hollowpin, a reciprocating collar for fianging an eyelet over said fixed pin,and means for moving the guiding means for the cord out of the path ofsaid reciprocating collar.

11. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a fixed pinhaving a longitudinal hole and an opening communicating with said hole,means for feeding a string through said hole and opening, means forsevering the string, an eyelet guide fer presenting an eyelet concentricWith said pin a Washer guide for presenting a Washer concentric withsaid pin, means for carrying said eyelet and said Washer into contactwith said pin, a collar for fianging i said eyelet, and means fori'ecipi'ocatin t collar.

l Dated this 25th day of July, 1905.

l vVILTAiRD E. SlVll T. Wi messes: V

l Pizvriznoen Cmi'nnnmoin i RiiiUs B. FOWLER.

